Insights

Change is rarely comfortable. Whether it’s scaling down, restructuring, or adapting to new priorities, organisational change disrupts routines and challenges assumptions. The systems and habits that worked in steady times can quickly become obstacles when the ground shifts beneath you. In times of change, clinging to old rules can feel safe but it can also hold you back. What made sense yesterday might not serve you today. Navigating change isn’t just about survival; it’s abo

We’re thrilled that our session, “Reimagining Research Governance: Insights from the Shadow Committees Project,” has been accepted for presentation at the EARMA Conference 2026, taking place in Utrecht, The Netherlands, from 5–7 May 2026. About EARMA Conference Utrecht 2026 The EARMA Annual Conference is Europe’s premier gathering for research management and administration professionals. This year’s theme, “Empowering Research Managers and Administrators as Leaders for Impact

Despite years of discussion around trustee diversity, progress has been slow. A recent Charity Commission report confirms that board diversity in England and Wales has barely shifted in nearly two decades. Yet we know that diverse boards make better decisions, drive innovation, and deliver greater impact. So how do we move from intention to action? Reach Volunteering’s new resource, Diversifying Governance Through Shadowing Programmes, offers a practical, tested approac

There is a growing policy push for universities to specialise: to focus on their areas of research strength, consolidate excellence, and align more closely with strategic national priorities. At ARMA 2025, Steven Hill (Director of Research at Research England) invited universities to consider doing 'less'. This call has echoed across recent policy discussions. On the surface, this makes sense. The sector is looking for solutions in a challenging financial climate.

The UK’s new security strategy shifts the focus to resilience and promises a new research security strategy in time. The foundations of any resilient sector are built on the security, engagement, and development of its people. Yet, despite much attention through the research culture agenda in recent years, precarity remains prominent within the research ecosystem. The consequences are not just personal—they are structural, undermining organisational and sector resilience. As

At Formation, we know that the research and innovation sector doesn’t stand still. It evolves quickly—shaped by policy shifts, funding changes, talent shortages, and new security and compliance demands. Responding to these pressures often requires more than capacity. It needs experience, agility, and trust. That’s why we’re exploring a new service: Formation Fractional.

In this new article for Research Professional News, Better research is not a luxury, but it needs a collective effort, Sapna Marwaha challenges the idea that improving research culture, integrity, and security is a “nice to have.” Instead, she argues it’s essential—and more achievable when the sector pools its efforts.